409 citations issued in SHP campaign on speeding

Thursday

Apr 4, 2013 at 11:32 AM

The N.C. Highway Patrol's Operation Slow Down in Davidson County resulted in more than 400 citations being issued from March 25 through Sunday.

The N.C. Highway Patrol's Operation Slow Down in Davidson County resulted in more than 400 citations being issued from March 25 through Sunday.The campaign focused on reducing speed-related collisions on North Carolina highways. The campaign was conducted in combination with the Governor's Highway Safety Program No Need to Speed campaign.According to the SHP, troopers issued 409 citations in Davidson County. The charges were eight driving while impaired, 46 seat belt violations, three child restraints, 145 speeding, 16 uninsured, 21 driving while license revoked, five reckless driving, 35 work zone and 130 other citations.Speed, according to a news release from the N.C. Department of Public Safety, remains the leading cause of traffic collisions and fatalities in North Carolina as well as across the country. This past year the Highway Patrol investigated 1,801 fatal collisions on North Carolina. Of those, 245 deaths were attributed to speed, compared to 244 deaths in 2011. During the week-long campaign, troopers issued over 26,153 citations for numerous traffic violations to include 13,667 speed-related charges. Despite the end of the campaign, troopers will continue to aggressively enforce the speed limits on North Carolina highways, the news release stated."Our number one priority is to ensure the safety of the motoring public," said Bill Grey, commander of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.